Chen Xin moved to the side and began to absorb the soul bone. Inside the Seven Treasures Hall, Ning Fengzhi and several other Titled Douluo were present, ensuring absolute safety.
Yet despite the security, the atmosphere remained heavy. After all, who could easily accept the news that their clan might face extermination?
Moreover, Jun Tianlin's ability to predict the future couldn't be used at the moment—they only had an approximate timeframe. To pinpoint the exact moment, they'd have to wait for his technique's cooldown.
Ning Fengzhi never pinned his hopes on a single plan. After pondering for a while, he commanded, "Uncle Ying, return and select a few of the most trustworthy disciples from the Investigation Hall. Keep a close watch on the movements of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace. Report immediately if anything unusual happens."
Gu Rong was momentarily stunned. "Fengzhi, what does this have to do with the Heaven Dou Empire? Are you suggesting they're colluding with the Spirit Hall to attack our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "No, collusion isn't possible. The conflict of interest between the Empire and the Spirit Hall is too great. Emperor Xue Ye would never ally with them. However, based on what Xiaotian said earlier, I suspect the Spirit Hall has planted a deeply hidden agent within the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace—and that agent already holds a high position."
Jun Tianlin was startled. Uncle Ning had once again pieced together critical clues.
Ning Fengzhi continued, "If the Spirit Hall intends to launch an extermination operation against the three upper clans, it wouldn't just target our clan. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wouldn't be spared either. And they must strike both clans simultaneously—otherwise, if even a short delay occurs, the other clan will be alerted and could prepare or even relocate their entire clan under the protection of one of the two empires. That would directly counter the Spirit Hall's original intent to annihilate us."
"Think about it: if they plan to move against both clans at the same time, they'll need to mobilize an enormous force—at least tens of thousands of spirit masters, most of them at least mid- or high-level, above level 40, and nearly ten Titled Douluo. Such a massive force couldn't possibly enter the empire unnoticed… unless someone inside cooperates with them."
"Then, Uncle Ning, do you already have suspects?" Jun Tianlin asked tentatively.
"I do. Three individuals." Ning Fengzhi's gaze sharpened. "Grand Marshal Ge Long, Prince Xue Xing… and your close friend, my esteemed disciple, the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. Only these three hold the power and authority to enable such a force to infiltrate."
"Compared to Star Luo, Heaven Dou's power is more fragmented. Ge Long commands the military. Xue Xing oversees spirit masters. Xue Qinghe controls political affairs and the people's welfare. If any one of them harbors treacherous ambitions and seeks to leverage the Spirit Hall to seize absolute power in Heaven Dou, it's entirely possible. Especially Xue Qinghe—he has the weakest military backing. Even though he's Crown Prince, his position isn't entirely secure."
"Ge Long remains neutral, uninterested in factional struggles, so he gains nothing by betraying. In fact, Prince Xue Xing has always supported Xue Beng. Xue Beng's playboy image fools most people, but not me—he's ambitious."
Ning Fengzhi's explanation earned approving nods from Gu Rong and Dugu Bo. They agreed—his reasoning wasn't far-fetched.
In truth, Ning Fengzhi's deduction was strikingly close to reality. Jun Tianlin himself suspected Qian Renxue's involvement.
In the original timeline, when the Spirit Hall moved to strike, Emperor Xue Ye had already been poisoned. Slowly but surely, Xue Qinghe's influence over the Heaven Dou royal family expanded.
The poison must have been a slow-acting, potent toxin—likely administered over several years. Otherwise, if discovered early and cured, Qian Renxue's plan would have collapsed.
That's why Jun Tianlin believed the Spirit Hall wouldn't act prematurely. Even though he himself was a variable, making the Spirit Hall more anxious, he concluded that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan would be safe for at least another three years. He hesitated only on whether to reveal Xue Qinghe's true identity.
Noticing Tianlin's troubled expression, Ning Fengzhi's eyes twinkled. "Uncle Gu, Uncle Dugu, Uncle Ying—continue protecting Uncle Jian. Xiaotian, come with me."
With that, Ning Fengzhi walked out of the Seven Treasures Hall and led Jun Tianlin to a secluded pavilion.
Once there, Ning Fengzhi turned and spoke gently, "Xiaotian, it's just the two of us now. Tell me what you were holding back earlier."
Jun Tianlin nodded, casting aside his hesitation. "Uncle Ning, your suspicion is right. The hidden agent planted by the Spirit Hall in the palace… is Xue Qinghe. And her true identity is—"
Jun Tianlin told Ning Fengzhi about Qian Renxue. Only by doing so could Ning Fengzhi counter her schemes and avoid being deceived.
Qian Renxue meant a great deal to Tianlin, but she could never be more important than the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. For the clan's survival, he had no choice but to reveal everything.
Of course, he omitted certain details. For instance, he didn't reveal Qian Renxue was Qian Daoliu's granddaughter. After all, he could claim he'd foreseen the Golden Crocodile Douluo through future visions, but Qian Daoliu's identity would be harder to justify. He left that for Ning Fengzhi to deduce himself—he trusted Ning Fengzhi's intelligence.
He simply explained he'd discovered Xue Qinghe's true martial spirit wasn't a swan, but a six-winged angel, during his training with Qian Renxue.
"What a cunning Qian family of the Spirit Hall," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "I never imagined their plans began so long ago. Xiaotian, without you, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan would've been blindsided—crippled at best, annihilated at worst. For this… Uncle Ning thanks you."
True to expectations, Ning Fengzhi quickly deduced Xue Qinghe's link to Qian Daoliu—after all, the six-winged angel was the Qian family's inherited martial spirit.
"Uncle Ning, what will you do next? Will you expose Xue Qinghe?" Jun Tianlin asked earnestly. "If you do… could you at least let her go, let her leave Heaven Dou and return to Spirit City?"
"Xiaotian, it seems you've formed a deep bond with Xue Qinghe over the years," Ning Fengzhi said gravely. "But knowing she intends to destroy our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan… you'd still plead for her?"
Jun Tianlin lowered his head. "This is my selfishness. I told you because, in my heart, she isn't as important as you, Rongrong, Yu Xiaogang, and the others. But… that doesn't mean I don't see her as a friend."
"Ay…" Ning Fengzhi sighed softly. "It's good to cherish bonds, but if you cling too tightly, they'll become shackles. Xiaotian, although Rongrong is heir to the clan, both Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, and I believe… you're the one truly capable of carrying the clan's legacy. Sometimes, you'll have to be ruthless."
"Don't worry—I won't harm her. I won't even expose her."